Asheville crash kills man; driver charged

ASHEVILLE – A city motorist is facing a felony death by vehicle charge in a collision involving a motorcycle that claimed a man’s life.

John Allan Zabriskie, 49, of Wildwood Avenue, also was charged with driving while impaired and unsafe movement, according to warrants at the Buncombe County magistrate’s office.

The motorcycle driver, Joshua Calhoun, 37, died at the scene of the accident, Asheville police Sgt. Dave Romick said. The accident happened shortly after 9 p.m. Monday on Charlotte Street at the Woodfin Place intersection, near Interstate 240.

Zabriskie, driving a 2004 Toyota, was traveling south on Charlotte Street and made a left turn toward the I-240 East ramp, into the path of the motorcycle, Romick said.

Zabriskie “failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle, causing the pickup and motorcycle to collide,” he said.

Zabriskie works as a self-employed contractor, according to a police report.

Police investigators consulted with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office before filing the charges, Romick said.

Calhoun, who worked as a cook, was a talented artist and loving father to his 4-year-old son, said his grandmother, Marlene King, of Las Vegas, Nev.

Calhoun was a native of Galveston, Texas, but had lived in Asheville for the past five years, King said. Aside from his son, he has no other family in Asheville.

“He was quiet,” King said. “He was very artistic. He was able to sell some of his paintings. I know how much his son meant to him. His son was the highlight of his life.”

Funeral arrangements have not been made, she said.

Zabriskie was released from the Buncombe County Detention Facility on Tuesday after posting a $25,000 secured bond.